You’ve planned and paid for a birthday party that reflects your child’s passions and interests, chosen a cake the flavor she loves, and generally made sure everyone would have a fun afternoon. Do all the guests also need to go home with a goody bag or other party favor?

Your children may be counting down the days until their next birthday—who doesn't love to be celebrated?—but you're probably stressing about what do to at the party and baking a cake. We're here to help, with six birthday hacks to make the day go smoothly.

When it comes to attending parties, most guests forget to respond to invites in a timely manner, or even at all. Here are six modern RSVP rules for invitation etiquette, and three things for hosts to remember.

Planning a bar or bat mitzvah is stressful for everyone, but when your child has special needs, there are more factors you need to plan for, from sensory issues to large crowds. But don't let this deter you from celebrating your child's mitzvah! A Long Island expert shares tips for planning a bar or bat mitzvah for your child with special needs.

Looking for a unique birthday cake to make for your child's celebration this year? We've got three recipes for cakes that look like other sweet treats, including a giant cupcake, a giant donut, and ice cream cones.

Queens Dance Project, a dance a fitness studio in Queens, offers a new program and two new dance classes for kids in Bayside: a school vacation day camp, a mommy-and-me dance class, and a dance class for toddlers.

Just like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles take on evil forces to save New York City, you can rise to the challenge of hosting a TMNT-themed birthday party for your child. All it takes is some ninja know-how to throw a party that’ll have them seeing green!

Victoria Kann, co-creator of the Pinkalicious series, shares several recipes from her new Pinkalicious Cupcake Cookbook, including how to make Pinkalicious cupcakes with buttercream frosting and star wands with royal icing.

Are you looking to save money for your child's future? TrustEgg, a trust account that is released to the child on his or her 18th birthday, is a great birthday gift that family and friends can participate in, too.

Meg Cox, author of 'The Book of New Family Traditions', shares birthday traditions to start with your children this year, including the many ways to decorate with balloons, celebrating half birthdays, and a thoughtful party favor.

Westchester residents Buck and Rebecca Schleifer created Share Your Wish, a way to host a birthday party while doing good for others. Party guests donate to the birthday child's fund—a predetermined percentage goes toward purchasing a gift for the child, while the rest is donated to charity.

FUN GUIDES

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NYMetroParents is the parenting division of Davler Media Group and encompasses 9 regional print magazines within the greater NY metro region as well as the website (nymetroparents.com). Following the success of the first NYC parenting resource book, "Big Apple Baby," BIG APPLE PARENT was launched in 1985; it is now the largest publisher of regional parenting content in the United States.

Share your story in the Caring Kids Awards program and be recognized for the giving back that you do. This program celebrates the many good deeds that families do together to teach their children the importance of helping others. 8 families will be recognized win given $500 as a special thank you. Caring Kids Awards.